Press Release for Tuesday, August 31, 2010

UNF Athletics Announces 2011 Hall of Fame Class

The University of North Florida Athletic Department will induct its 2011 class of the UNF Hall of Fame Presented by THE PLAYERS Championship on Oct. 23. The class features a legendary coach, All-American performers in golf, volleyball, basketball and track & field and a major athletic contributor.

“We are very excited about this 2011 Hall of Fame class,” said UNF Athletic Director Lee Moon. “All of these individuals have been shining examples of success for North Florida. These inductees are some of the best-of-the-best that UNF Athletics has produced. We are extremely proud and honored to be recognizing this group and look forward to a wonderful weekend of celebration.”

Rhodes guided the UNF baseball program for 23 years (1988-2010) leading the Ospreys from their inception in 1988 through the divisional maturation from NAIA to NCAA Division II to Division I. A 2009 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame inductee, Rhodes collected more than 900 wins at North Florida and finished his career with a winning percentage of .670. During his time at UNF, Rhodes led UNF to five College World Series appearances (2 NAIA, 3 Division II) and 16 conference titles and postseason appearances. Seven times during his tenure the Ospreys held a No. 1 ranking in the national polls and he guided UNF to 11 wins over nationally-ranked Division I foes. A recipient of 17 different Coach of the Year accolades, Rhodes produced 22 All-Americans, six Academic All-Americans and 60 Major League Baseball signees.

Ford, a five-time All-American (Division II) track and field honoree from 1999-2002 as a long distance runner for the Ospreys, captured three National Championships – 2001 Indoor 5000m and Outdoor 5000m and 2002 Outdoor 5000m. A three-time All-Peach Belt Conference selection, Ford owns the UNF school records in the 3000m and 5000m for both indoor and outdoor competition. In addition, she was a key member of North Florida’s 2001 Peach Belt Conference championship squad.

A standout volleyball performer from 2001-04, Struck becomes the first volleyball player enshrined in UNF’s Hall of Fame. A four-time All-American (Division II) honoree, Struck is the Osprey’s career leader in kills (1906), total blocks (590) and attack percentage (.431). A seven-time conference Player of the Week during her career, Struck garnered back-to-back Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year honors (2002, 2003) and was given the 2002 Florida Sports Amateur Volleyball Player of the Year award in 2002.

Barber, who played for the Ospreys from 2000-04, was the first Division II All-American selection in UNF women’s basketball history. The 2002 Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year, Barber’s name covers the North Florida career record books ranking as the program’s all-time leader in both points (1,937) and rebounds (1,326). She also leads the career charts in scoring average (16.4 ppg), steals (294), field goals made (718) and attempted (1326), free throws made (500) and attempted (685), games played (118) and games started (108). Additionally, Barber earned the MVP award at the 2003 South Atlantic Regional tournament.

A Division I All-American golfer in 2000, Bennett helped build the North Florida golf program during his career from 1998-2001. The UNF career leader in Top Five (8), Top 10 (17) and Top 20 (23) individual finishes, Bennett also owns the top two season stroke averages in school history at 72.1 (2000-01) and 72.3 (1999-00), and finished his career with a 72.6 average in 106 tournament rounds played. A three-time tournament medalist during this career, Bennett holds the Osprey’s low 54-hole total at 206 and produced 44 under par rounds including 13 rounds in the 60s. He was a key member of UNF’s 1999-00 squad that qualified for the NCAA Championships, finished second at the NCAA East Regional and captured four team tournament titles. Bennett also enjoyed success in the classroom earning a pair of NCAA Division I Academic All-American honors.

Weight has been a tremendous supporter in the growth of UNF Athletics during his association with the program through his time and vast resources. A member of the Osprey Club Executive Committee, Weight joined the Osprey Club in 2000 and served as the organization’s Vice President in 2005. He served as the chairman of the fundraising committee for the Buster Browning Training and Educational Facility at UNF and is a member of the Kratzert/Browning UNF Golf committee. Weight also was a major contributor in the completion of the Strength & Conditioning Facility in 2008. In addition, Weight initiated the $100,000 Weight-Kilcullen Basketball Endowment in 2005 and enhanced the scholarship by $100,000 in 2009.

The 2011 UNF Hall of Fame Presented by THE PLAYERS Championship presentation will be held Sat., Oct. 23 at UNF Arena. Tickets to the event are $25 per person or $250 for a table of 10 and are available by contacting UNF Assistant AD for Development Matt Kilcullen -- (904) 620-1506 or mkillcull@unf.edu

Comments on the 2011 UNF Hall of Fame Presented by THE PLAYERS Championship inductees:

“Being inducted into the UNF Hall of Fame is a great honor. The thing that means the most to me is that when you get into coaching you don’t think you are going to be there that long. To be able to spend 20-plus years at one school and build it from nothing all the way up to Division I, personally, those are things that I didn’t expect. As things got going, I got addicted to UNF. They gave me an opportunity to build a team from the ground up and not many coaches have that type of opportunity. This is a great honor especially to go in with some great athletes.” – Dusty Rhodes, UNF Head Baseball Coach 1988-10

“Playing for Dusty was a remarkable experience. He taught us much more than the game of baseball. He taught us the lessons of life. He dedicated his entire life to baseball. We were his family and he treated us that way. He is the essence of being a coach. He understood and was able to get the best out of his players.” – Sid Roberson, UNF Baseball 1990-92 (1991 NAIA Player of the Year) – UNF Hall of Fame Member and Osprey Club Executive member

“I could not be more excited and grateful to be inducted into UNF's Hall of Fame. During my career at UNF, I was determined to never compromising my values or beliefs, giving 100 percent in everything I did and to help and support those around me. This is a wonderful honor.” – Jackie Struck, UNF Volleyball 2001-04

“Jackie is the type of player that doesn't come along very often in a coach's career. A combination of talent, work ethic, competitiveness, and character led to Jackie's success. She set records while at UNF that may never be broken. As a four-time all American, she help put UNF on the volleyball map and set a standard for all players at UNF to aspire. I've now had the good fortune to coach in the Big 12 and the ACC and I can say without a doubt Jackie would have made a mark in any of those programs. Thanks to UNF for giving Jackie and myself all we needed to achieve her success and congratulations to Jackie for a honor well deserved.” – Bryan Bunn, former UNF head volleyball coach (2000-06) and current N.C. State head coach

“Being inducted into the UNF Hall of Fame this year is an amazing accomplishment to highlight my basketball career. I had a blast playing ball at UNF and I have many great memories that I will always treasure. I am grateful for the opportunity to have played at UNF and to those who voted for me to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.” – Skye Barber, UNF Women’s Basketball 2000-04

“I am thrilled that Skye has been selected to the UNF Hall of Fame. She is the only All American in the short history of UNF women’s basketball and she is most deserving of the recognition. She holds the scoring and rebounding records not to mention several other records in our program. It is really exciting to see a local player receive the recognition she deserves. It is no coincidence that our most successful seasons coincide with Skye’s years of eligibility. Skye remains one of the most competitive players I have ever coached, and I am glad she decided to stay in Jacksonville to continue her collegiate career.” – Mary Tappmeyer, UNF head women’s basketball coach

“I would like to thank the University of North Florida for the honor of receiving this award and to the entire Osprey community, students, staff, administration and alumni for their support while I was an athlete. I am truly honored and proud to have earned a spot in the UNF Hall of Fame. With the dedication and experience from coach Mark VanAlstyne, a whole world of possibilities opened up for me. He gave me the chance to fulfill my dreams, while excelling academically and athletically. Coach VanAlstyne believed in me and provided me with the best tools and hope I would need to utilize my talent. I am eternally grateful for UNF and Coach VanAlstyne for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the Osprey family.” – Jenn Ford, UNF Cross Country/Track 1999-2002

“I can’t think of one athlete, over my time here, that has shown the dominance on a national level that Jenn Ford has. She won three national championships and none of them were close. She just had the mindset of a champion and couldn’t be beaten. She’s absolutely deserving of being inducted into the Hall of Fame. She earned her bachelors and masters degrees from UNF and I’m happy to see her get honored.” – Mark VanAlystne, UNF head track & field/cross country coach

“I am very honored to be elected into the UNF Athletic Hall of Fame. I always look back fondly on my time at UNF and the lessons that I learned through the University along with the athletic department stay with me to this day. UNF has established a tremendous reputation in the golf community and I take pride in being a part of the history of this program. As a smaller school among the powerhouse programs of the SCC and ACC it was exciting to compete and succeed on a NCAA Division I golf level. By combining an intimate classroom setting with world class athletics and amenities I have no doubt that UNF will continue to attract some of the best student athletes. I look forward to seeing the Ospreys continue their success in the future.” – David Bennett, UNF Golf 1998-2001

“David Bennett brought his athletic abilities to golf after a successful career as a nationally-ranked downhill skier. His strong work ethic and mental toughness made him a highly competitive golfer in a relatively short period of time. David helped UNF Golf transition successfully into NCAA Division I competition and quickly made a name for himself as one of the region's top players. He won three major college tournaments, including the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational on two occasions and earned All-America status in Division I as a junior. David was a team leader both on and off the golf course and was a great ambassador for UNF Athletics. No one deserves this honor more than Dave does.” – Former UNF golf coach John Brooks

“I am thrilled about being inducted into the UNF Athletic Hall of Fame. When Matt Kilcullen phoned me and told me about the honor I couldn’t be happier or more excited. I don’t know whether I deserve the honor or not, but I will take it. I got involved with the University of North Florida over 10 years ago. I was asked to head up a fundraiser for the Arthur “Buster” Browning, M.D. Athletic Training and Education Center and it was a huge success. Since that time, I got more and more involved. I am very pleased to be able to assist such a wonderful institution and I am happy to be involved with UNF Athletics.” – Tony Weight, UNF Community Supporter